Across the Times
By: Nightingale
Rating: PG13
Soon Gin was surrounded by newsies. These were even more friendly than the ones of Brooklyn and she was immediately grateful for Arthur's directions. It didn't take long for the whole group of boys and the few girls to hear about what she had told Spot. The girls all wanted to hear word for word what was said by the insane girl who dared to refuse the King Brooklyn.
Gin laughed as she agreed to tell it one more time. Finally most of them had finished their lunches when the boy with the patch returned. Gin had since learned his name and was grateful for his kind nature in telling them to back off for a while to let her eat.
"It's a shame you can't meet Jack"
"Jack"
"Jack Kelly…our leader"
The name hit her. She knew all too well who he was thanks to Arthur and the boys of Brooklyn. Her curiosity was pushing her forwards as she thought of the best way to get to him.
"Why can't I meet him"
"Well he found this boy not too long ago. Small boy...we think he's about 5 or 6."
"Alright"
"Well he's really sick and Jack's really worried about him. Jack found the boy in the alley with the body of his dead sister. We think that he has whatever killed her."
"That's terrible."
"Yeah. The boy has had the worse fever and has thrown up a couple of times. He can't talk because his throat is really sore."
"How long has he been like that"
"Almost 3 days"
"Can you take me to him"
"I don't know"
"Blink I think I know what's wrong."
"You do"
"Yeah I" She stopped how could she explain that she had researched diseases of the 1800's for her writing.
"You can help"
"I can try."
Blink got up from his chair and rushed her out of the restaurant and down the street. They slowed when they reached the lodging house. Blink opened the door for her and entered behind her. It was dead silent in the house. Gin looked around until Blink touched her arm and leading her to a small room under the stairs. When he opened the door Gin saw Jack leaning over the bed with his head in his hands. Gin walked up to the bed and took in the sight of the little boy.
There were little red bumps on his neck and tiny patches on his face. It pained her heart just to look at him. She gently rested her wrist on the boy's forehead.
"He's burning up." She stated
"He's shivering one minute and sweating the next" voiced Jack not even looking up
"When was the last time you got sleep" she asked him
Jack shrugged his shoulders as he glanced up at the girl before him.
"If he has what I think he does you're going to get it as well without sleep" she commented noticing the bags under his eyes
"What does he have" asked Blink from the door
"I think it's Scarlet Fever" she answered
"Scarlet Fever? Why would you say that" asked Jack knowing full well about Scarlet Fever
Gin looked back to the boy.
"Blink's been telling me a bit about his illness…and these bumps here" she said as she brushed the boy's cheek sweetly with the back of her finger.
Jack watched her gentle touch on the boy. The boy moved gently and mumbled a few words but they were airy a rough as Blink had mentioned. Gin sat next to the boy on the bed.
"Don't speak" she said softly"Does your throat hurt"
The boy opened his mouth to speak but she covered his mouth with her hand shaking her head. The boy looked at her with sadness in his eyes as he nodded his head. Jack's head dropped back into his hands. After a few seconds Jack heard the blankets ripped from the bed.
"What the hell are you doing" shouted Jack looking up
"You can't bundle him up like that. It'll make things worse. Blink can you heat up a bath? Lukewarm okay."
Blink nodded at the order and ran off. Gin was proceeding to take off the boy's over shirt.
"What are you doing" Jack demanded
"I'm breaking the fever...you mind helping" Jack looked at her curiously.
Gin was done with waiting and continued at her task. After a few minutes Blink reappeared saying that the bath was ready. Gin went over to the boy who now only had his under things on. Gin bent down to lift him when two hands stopped her and she looked up into the eyes of Jack. He had got up and was willing to help.
"About time" she stated
He picked up the boy and led the way up to the bath Blink had prepared
"I never did catch your name" he shot over his shoulder
"Gin" she answered
When Jack made it to the bathroom he insisted on taking care of the soaking (AN: As in sitting in the bath not beating on people). Blink soon came up the stairs.
"Could you show me to a place where I can pick up some ginger tea? It'll help with his throat."
"Ginger tea"
"It's more Asian. If you know any areas"
"I think I know where we can go."
Blink led her out of the lodging house and down the road again.